EUGENE, Ore. – The Citadel graduate senior Capers Williamson advanced to the javelin throw final at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, by placing 12th in Saturday’s qualifying round.

Williamson’s best throw was his second, which flew 227 feet, 2 inches to place fifth in his flight and 12th overall among the 24 best javelin throwers in the United States. His first throw sailed 225-2, and his third throw was 218-5. He is the first track and field athlete from The Citadel to participate in the final round of an Olympic Trials.

“This is just amazing,” The Citadel head track and field coach Jody Huddleston said. “Capers stepped up when he needed to, stayed focused and accomplished something no one else has. He has established himself as not only the best track athlete at The Citadel but arguably one of the best athletes in Citadel history. Congratulations to Capers and to Coach (Kris) Kut for a job well done. We wish Capers the best in Monday’s final.”

Williamson qualified for the Olympic Trials with his season-best throw of 239-4 at the 2016 Southern Conference Outdoor Championships. The throw broke his school and SoCon records for the third time in 2016 and clinched his second consecutive conference javelin crown.

The javelin final is set to begin at 7:25 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, with the top three finishers advancing to represent the USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Live coverage begins on NBCSN and stream.nbcolympics.com at 7 p.m.